Maybe you’re lost in the woods where the trees are towering overhead dark and looming, clouding the path ahead. Or perhaps you’re lost in the desert where you’re tired and thirsty and just want to turn back but you’re so lost you don’t even know where to turn back to. Or a meadow or even out at sea with the waves pounding incessantly and you struggle to swim so your head is barely above water or even starting to sink. It’s okay to feel a little lost.

Hygge isn’t just about coziness. While coziness is a huge factor, it isn’t the only one. This is why hygge can’t be directly translated from Danish to English as “cozy.” For me, hygge in the summer is a lot lot more about the relational aspects of hygge.

Hygge starts at home. If your life is in chaos, if your business is struggling, if you are constantly stressed, you have to start by evaluating your home first. When your home environment where you start and end your day is in disarray the rest of your life will follow suit.

Christmas has always been my favorite holiday. It was less about the day itself and more about the atmosphere and nostalgia surrounding the holiday for me. I didn’t have a name for the simple joy and comfort of Christmas back when I was little, but now I know those things can be summed up with hygge. Christmas combines intentional generosity, togetherness, and hospitality to create a holiday of peace and joy.